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With Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins, Caroline Keene’s Nancy Drew, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Elysse developed a love for reading and writing as a young child. But as it is, falling is easy but staying in love is hard.

High school journalistic practices like press conferences stirred her up, making her feel better about herself each time she bested other writers from different schools from their division. Thinking that she could actually write and be a writer, her intents changed from a pure love for the craft and its stakeholders into selfish motives like fame and authority.

The media industry is a tough and tight arena for intellectuals and critics, and soon she found herself unrecognized and discouraged by her lack of expertise, if it can be called one, so she bid writing farewell and just demoted it as a “past time” rather than passion.

Fortunately, RightNOW, an online platform for young media enthusiasts under the New Media Department of the Far East Broadcasting Philippines, made its way to her life, bringing a new meaning to writing for the masses in whatever style, most particularly, in feature and literary writing.

Her first dream, which was to wear jeans and shirt while doing community work, immersed with people who needs to be reached and acknowledged, being the busy ones in the backstage, was made clearer and possible through the people and connections she has met in RightNOW. And this has also led her to the Development Communications program.

As of now, Elysse is a young writer and life lover. She still loves to read and enjoys writing very much, as well as doing and learning behind-the-scene tasks in church and RightNOW. And most importantly, she aspires to be simplehearted – someone who celebrates and mourns with other people, someone who truthfully and selflessly loves because her heart delights in it, someone with eyes that are for wonder and awe, and who would pursue it just for the love of it, even without the bright lights.

Psalm 116:6 The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.

“This is Geline Ortiz, reporting live.” Sweetest words of victory for a young dreamer.

This eighteen-year-old Bicolana learns things the hard way, and being a new student in the university she has no idea of what’s to come. During her years of being a radio broadcaster in her high school, she was labeled as “plain” or “not good enough”. She spoke too fast. Stuttered a lot. Her hands would shake so hard that you couldn’t read the writing on the script. Too flawed and too naive, she lived with that image of herself for so long. But fate had gone tough on her and eventually pushed her past her limits until she’s where she is today. To study in the University of the Philippines might be her greatest challenge yet. If it weren’t for her downfalls and rejections she wouldn’t have found her reasons to continuously improve the skills and qualities she needs to become a professional media practitioner and broadcaster. Looking back, she doesn’t have a single regret.

Development Communication brought itself to her for many reasons. Her family doesn’t enjoy the privileges most people do, and they are burdened by the many things they lack in. Her way of life growing up was something she accepted in her family, but it was too hard to imagine on other children belonging to other families, who might be living even worse than them. As a student, she hopes to speak for the voiceless. To become the noise for the unheard and the silent. A pillar for the unfortunate and an advocate for the dreamers who demand to be freed from their binds. She will not just be a news reporter in the near future. She can, and she will, be the ray of hope some people might just need to push on further.

The path she’s on to achieve that will definitely test her. She has never been a perfect writer (and she never will be), nor was she a good one, but day by day she tries. She writes, and fails, and she writes again. And when she’s on the verge on giving up, she will cry, she will curse on an old draft or two, but she will not surrender that easy. Not until she’s holding a mic in her hand and the camera rolls. Not until she gets to speak. Millions will hear her. And millions will get to remember her voice.

Department of Education (DepEd) Los Baños spearheaded this year’s “KASskwela: Kultura, Awit, Sayaw pampakwela ng mga eskwelahan” to celebrate various cultures in the Bañamos Festival at General Paciano Rizal Park.

Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Allan Hostalero stated that this cultural show served as a culminating activity as part of DepEd’s curriculum in preserving arts, culture, and literature.

“This event [also] intends to exhibit different talents of our students,” Dr. Hostalero added.

The show started with an opening prayer, followed by the singing of the national anthem and Los Baños hymn by the Los Baños Brass Band. Dr. Hostalero, along with several government officials, then, formally opened the program.

Different talents such as playing rondalla instruments and folk dancing were showcased by participating schools from the municipality.  The schools were as follows along with their respective cultural performances:

• Tuntungin-Putho Integrated National High School – Piliin mo ang Pilipinas
• Bagong Silang Elementary School – La Jota Moncadena
• Bambang ES – Curacha
• Bayog ES – Pandanggo sa Sta. Clara
• B.N. Clara ES – Konan
• Lalakay ES – Sinisiki
• Lopez ES – Gaway-gaway
• Los Baños Central ES – Saguin Saguin
• Maahas ES – Pandanggo Rinconada
• Malinta ES – Malong Malong
• Mayondon ES – Alcamfour
• Paciano Rizal ES – Polkabal
• San Antonio ES – Lapay Bantique
• Tadlac ES – Paseo de Iloilo
• LBNHS Batong Malake – Panderetas
• LBNHS Poblacion – Pandanggo Wasiwas
• Mayondon NHS – Singkil
• B. N. Calara Integrated NHS – Dugso
• Senior High School – Jota Batangueña

Parents also expressed their support to the event by letting their children take part in the cultural presentations of the schools. “Para madevelop ang kultura natin [at] para malaman din nila yun,” Chona Alcana, parent of a performer, explained.

LGUs, MDRRMO, PNP, and DOH together with DepEd systematized the flow of the program and ensured the safety of the attendees of the cultural show.

“Hangga’t nandito ang DepEd, hindi kami lilihis sa pagpromote ng culture and arts,” Dr. Hostalero promised.

In line with their objective, he mentioned that the faculty department will also be displaying Philippine culture in the celebration of the upcoming National Teachers’ Day.

(Kilay on Fleek Girls)(Judica O. Bisnar, Aryandhi A. Almodal, Elysse B. Bejar)

In keeping with the celebration of Founding Los Banos, bands from CALABARZON joined the Himigsikan battle of the bands held on September 20, 2019, at 7:00 PM at Paciano Park Brgy Baybayin Los Baños Laguna, corresponding the 404th Foundation Anniversary of LB. 

Consist of Eight bands joined the competition including, Piratang Panda, Pentatonica, Ricochet, Rebolusyonaryo, Musika Rizal, Kuya J, Maria Band, and FTMT.

The Maria Band, who hails from the city San Pablo, bested 7 other finalists through their rendition of OPM’s and Pop songs making the cheering crowd gone wild the venue.

The same band also won the Best Original Composition award and received Php 30,000 in total cash and a trophy.

The band didn’t expect the awards, according to Mikkael Biglete, Lead singer of Maria Band

“We only had one week for practice and we also had the incidence of technical problems with our keyboardist,” said Biglete.

Meanwhile, Musika Rizal won as first runner-up, followed by, FTMS which has 4man band members.

Los Banos Municipal Councilor and Tourism Committee Dex Concio expressed his gratefulness for the success of the event.

“The event is the venue for promoting the municipality and foremost for entertainment,” he added,

PNP personnel of LBMPS led by PLTCOL LOUIE D DIONGLAY, ACOP together with the OJT/FTP of LBMPS provided area security during the program.

The event was ended at about midnight.

Melodies of rich heritage resonated the Multi-Purpose Center as students and teachers of Los Baños gracefully performed different cultural presentations during the “KASskwela: Kultura, Awit, at Sayaw pampa-Kuwela ng mga Estudyante” last September 20, in line with the celebration of the 18th Bañamos Festival.

Twenty-one (21) schools from Elementary to Senior High showcased their talents through various acts of traditional dances and songs – Pandanggo, Singkil, and Jota Batangueña to name a few – highlighting the rich Philippine culture.

Franco del Castillo, Head Organizer of the program, said in an interview, “Sa panahon ngayon medyo bihira ang ganitong pagtatanghal, layunin ng Department of Education (DepEd) na maimulat ang mga estudyante [sa mga okasyong] nagpapakita ng kulturang Pilipino… para malaman nila ang ating kulturang pinagmulan.” Castillo also described that students engaged in providing cultural presentations enabled them to relive the past.

In an interview with Maria Luisa Mojado, DepEd Representative from the Los Baños district office, she stated that the program helps students and the youth to become aware of the Philippine culture. Mojado added that the nation’s culture is important and that it should not be forgotten, rather it be promoted.

One student from Los Baños National High School emphasized the importance of knowing our local and national culture as a reflection of our history and how it has shaped Filipino identity. “Sa kasaysayan niya man, mula noon hanggang ngayon, ang kultura ang nagsilbing paraan upang tayo ay makilala bilang ‘diverse’ na bansa,” he stated. “May iba’t-iba tayong kultura na nagpapakita ng mga kayamanan ng pinanggalingan nila.”

The program is one of the activities conducted in this year’s Bañamos Festival which commemorates the establishment of the municipality; exhibiting its history and defining itself as “The Science and Nature City”.

Colorful displays, innovative products, and informative designs- these are what citizens and visitors of Los Baños, Laguna can see in the annual Bañamos Barangay Booth Fair.

The 14 barangays of the municipal exerted their time and effort in preparing their respective booths with each of them having their own theme and motif. Some focused on their barangay’s history and geographic location while others focused on their livelihood programs and products.

Altogether, these fourteen booths showcase the life of Los Baños as one community- moving forward with their own resources and innovations, as well as living together in harmony and diversity.

by Zen Igaya, Vanessa Martinez and Cruzette Mejia

Los Baños – Bañamos festival held its annual Himigsikan battle of the bands event on September 20, 2019 at the General Paciano Park Gymnasium. The competition was between 8 bands, duking it out on the stage with over P25,000 on the line.

Out of the 8 bands, each had three songs and twenty minutes allotted to them, some of Laguna’s finest bands from different walks of life incorporated different styles of music and harmonies to create a festive event for the people of Los Baños.

Out of the eight, three bands would make a smashing podium finish. The first of them would be the 2^nd runner up, FTMT took home a respectable 10,000 php in cash. Their proficiency in classic rock and funk rock made their performance a great closer as the eighth performer of the night. With their kinetic rendition of ‘Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo’, they rocked the stage and the audiences hearts.

Coming in close in the 1^st runner up spot, Musika RIzal that brought a unique twist with their sound by incorporating jazz rock through a saxophone and a synthesizer. Their fusions of r&b, reggae, and jazz rock were crowd pleasers as well as their bombastic stage presence. Each and every one of their members did not hesitate to show personality through their playing and through their expressions on stage.

But in the end, the one to bring home the bacon would be the Maria Band, brandishing jazz sounds with brass instruments, funky bass and a melodic guitar. They were out in their uniform clothing and their energy exploded through the roof once their final song was nearing its end. Their energy, stage presence, sound and cohesion were the best of the night.

My former teacher told me that I am a big fish in a small pond because I was always on top of my class. So, in my first few days in College, I lived up to this mentality. I became so confident that I answered the self assessment without really considering my abilities because these qualities are what my former teacher told me that I’m good at.

However, an acquaintance of mine saw my answers and she made me think about my self assessments. She pointed out that in order for me to honestly rate myself, I should analyze myself from my perspective alone and not from that of other people.

I realized that she was right. I was slightly embarrassed because some of my answers do not really reflect my skills. Maybe I was just so used to hearing people complement me because I was an honor student that I became biased with my self evaluation. At that time, I knew I came to a realization of where I should be.

I also realized that I am not a big fish in a small pond nor am I a small fish in a big pond. People tend to say these things in college just to ease their mind. These sayings, for me, are just a matter of perspective. “Pool sizes” and identifying yoursef as a “big” or “small fish” are just concepts made in order for us to only stay at those two classifications.

Instead of aspiring to be a big or small fish, we should just aspire to be the best fish that we can. We should not let someone control us by feeding us with lies and false hopes. A great “fish” does not only take note of its surroundings, it also examines itself to be able to be the best it can be. We can be more productive if we do not judge ourselves as either big or small fish as both will still struggle regardless of the size of the water.

Even though college is such a big leap from high school, and there are a myriad of students who are greater than me in so many ways, I should not feel like I shouldn’t be where I am today. I will improve my skills to be able to be a best media writer, jut like a great fish that can swim in any water.